A man walks in heavy rain in the central Japan city of Hamamatsu on Aug. 13, 2022, as Typhoon Meari approaches Japan's Pacific coast close to Tokyo. (Kyodo)
TOKYO – Heavy rain is expected to fall again in parts of Japan through Thursday with coastal regions in the north and west at particular risk of landslides and flooding, the country's weather agency said.
The agency called for vigilance as a front extending from a low-pressure system is forecast to move south toward areas facing the Sea of Japan, warning of highly unstable atmospheric conditions that could lead to lightning and tornados.
The front is expected to move from northern to eastern Japan through Wednesday before heading toward the west on Thursday, colliding with warm, humid air and creating unstable atmospheric conditions, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Heavy rainfall exceeding 40 mm. in one hour was recorded in Hokkaido, northern Japan on Tuesday, with torrential downpours of more than 80 mm. in an hour possible, the agency said.
About 6,500 residents from 3,600 households in Hokkaido were asked to evacuate in the morning, with some sections of major roads closed.
According to the 24-hour forecast into Wednesday morning, 200 mm. of rain was expected in the Hokuriku region, 180 mm. in Tohoku, 150 mm. in Hokkaido, and 120 mm. in the Kinki, Chugoku, and northern Kyushu regions.
The subsequent 24-hour forecast predicted 100 mm. to 200 mm. of rain in Hokuriku and Chugoku, 100 mm. to 150 mm. in Kinki and northern Kyushu, and 50 mm. to 100 mm. in Tohoku. (Kyodo)
